Will the Real Men Please Stand Up?

Have you ever heard that lying is like building a house? The logic behind this story is as follows: You begin out by laying the foundation by telling the basic lie. Then you build upon that lie by telling another one to cover up the foundational lie. After that you have completed the walling of the house. Well, then you have begun laying the flooring and even started to do some carpet work. Pretty soon the house is fully complete, but with one swift swig of the wrecking ball of truth the house is left in total destruction.

This story really can be given to the idea of rebellion. We understand that in God’s eye, sin is sin. There are no little sins but at the same time, sin does grow and goes through a process. It begins as a thought, then matures into something that is deep and has lasting consequences. For example, Eve was first attacked on the grounds of thinking about the fruit. Then it moved on to desiring the fruit. After that happened the action was taken by Eve to eat. But the consequences of those actions didn’t completely affect the human race until Adam took of the fruit. And as we all know, that lasting consequences was that mankind was separated from God through sin.

As I think about the idea of rebellion, my mind is flooded with the thoughts of men in our churches and the men in the pulpit of those churches. The actions of the men have deep, lasting influence upon the women and children of church. Men will not tell you but they struggle with insecurity in a very big way. We may be in the place that God has called us to, but for some reason or another we will begin to doubt God. We begin to doubt His calling, His presence and most of all His ability to equip us for the task. Then as Satan has been able to get his foothold into our lives, we find ourselves heading down a very steep and slippery slope. Some men are able to stop, but others it’s another story.

That steep and slippery slope comes in all kinds of different forms. For some it is, money. The lust and lure of money pull men from the ministry into a job where there is only temporary satisfaction. For others it is, sex. The sexual drive of men have created some of the most devastating displays of consequences of sin that we have seen. And a little note here is necessary. – the two above forms seem to go hand in hand. Money and sex seem to be like two peas in a pod. In the fall of a Christian minister, money and sex seem to come into play. The money say, “Look at all that I have and can get.” Sex says, “Look at what I can do and get away with .” Money and sex are not bad when used and done in God‘s way, but when both are placed in arenas of no accountability or respect, they will destroy a man, a ministry, a church but also a wife and children.

The very sad thing about all this is that it all starts out with just a simple thought. The thought begins out with doubting the ability to accomplish a task for God. That thought then moves into weakening our spiritual sensitivity to sin. The spiritual sensitivity is replaced with a desire to get as close to sin as possible without getting burned. But then that develops into something that creates a mindset of continually getting closer and closer until finally you give in. You give in over and over and over without getting caught. The feeling of possibly getting caught becomes an addiction and even arrogance on the part of the individual that says that I am above all this and I can’t get caught. But than the day of reckoning occurs and left in the pathway of the wrenching ball of truth is a broken man, ministry, church, but also a family!

Men of our churches and the men that are pastors, please don’t go down the steep, slippery slope. Our children are crying out for men that need you. They need a real man in their life that will not be given over to the power of money and the addiction of sex. They need real men that will show them how to control money and not allow money to control them. They need real men that will be sexually pure with one woman that is their wife and not be sexually promiscuous with every woman that bats her eye lashes at him.

Have these men left our churches? I don’t believe so. I believe that God has them out there. So men its time to step up to the plate and knock it out of the park. Its our time to raise up and be counted. We are the men called unto integrity, righteousness and holiness.

But we can’t do it alone. This is a call to true brotherhood. What do you say, brother – Are you ready to turn our backs on rebellion and turn our faces to righteousness? Will you join me?

Sleep!

SLEEP! Are you getting enough? Probably not, because we live in a high pace world and we can’t seem to pull ourselves away from the technology that is at our figure tips. The USA Today is out with a story that is very troubling. Teens today have some many things in their rooms that truly ought not to be there that causes them to deprave them of their sleep. But that is not the topic of that article. The article deals with teens that battle depression and suicide more often, because they do not have a regular sleeping habit or discipline.

The article reports:

Teens whose parents let them stay up after midnight on weeknights have a much higher chance of being depressed or suicidal than teens whose parents enforce an earlier bedtime, says research being presented today at a national sleep conference.

As you study the benefits of sleep, the above statement makes a lot of sense. According to HelpGuide, org, the benefits of sleeping are 1.) Mood, 2.) Memory, 3.) Concentration, 4.) Immune System, 5.) Nervous System and 6.) Development.

So let’s break these down. If I am not getting the sleep that I need than I will be in a bad mood. How many times have you worked or dealt with someone that is in a bad mood, because they did not get a good night’s sleep? Or you deal with someone that went to bed late and now they are jumping down your throat, because you have the audacity to have gotten your sleep. Just think how much more important it would be for a teenager.

Memory is a big one with dealing with a teen, because they are studying for school constantly. They are sitting in classrooms, listening to lectures, reading books, writing papers, taking quizzes and exams and so much more. Teens need all the help that they can get so that when its time to perform, they have the energy to do so. Concentration is a huge factor in everything that I wrote about with memory. If you can be focused on the tasks at hand than memory kinda goes along.

Your physical health is very important. If you are not sleeping than you are opening yourself up to getting sick a lot quicker and easier. Sleep deprivation will cause you to be weak which in turns makes your immune and nervous systems weak as well. Sleep is a vital part of your development into adulthood.

So parents, why are you going to bed and allowing your teen to stay up? I believe that we can see a teen’s life by simply saying, “It’s time to go to bed!” The teens needs to turn off the cell phone and computer. Its time to get a good night’s sleep so that tomorrow they will be ready to tackle the tasks at hand and do so without fear of the body falling apart.

Having written this – I am going to bed. Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite!

Stephen Colbert in Iraq

Comedian Stephen Colbert is an American Patriot!

Comedy Central Insider has reported that Stephen Colbert has arrived safely in Iraq and starting this Monday, June 8 through Thursday, June 11, “The Colbert Report” will be broadcasting from a military base there. There has been a lot of led up to this very special trip for some months and now it will happen.

The Associated Press is reporting:

“The series of shows, each to be taped in front of an audience of about 450 troops, have been dubbed “Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando.” It’s the first time anyone has broadcast from Iraq for a USO tour.”

I salute Mr. Colbert, because of the reason that he gave for wanting to do this. According to the same new source: “Sometimes my character and I agree, … My character and I both know the Apostles’ Creed and my character and I both think it’s a shame that we’re not talking about the troops anymore.”“

That is correct! It is a shame that the troops have been pushed to the back burner. You can watch the news for hours now and never hear or see mention of them, but everywhere you turn “Jon and Kate Plus Eight” are top news items of the day. That truly is a shame to our news operations and even our country at large.

Everyday, our troops wake to defend our security while never having any real security for themselves. They protect our families while they are separated from theirs by miles and even continents. They work tirelessly without very little gratitude. Our troops are the best of the best and America is indebted to their service.

Today is the anniversary of D-Day. Over 9,500 soldiers gave their lives in one of the greatest battles that our nation has fought. This invasion of the beaches of Normandy was a turning point in World War II. They took down the powerful hold of Hitler and delivered the country of France, freedom. Also, producing the final stage of this War. There is no way that in this short place can one truly give this invasion its honor. But you can honor it through research, remembrance and resolve.

President Obama Bridging the Gap?

President Barack Obama delivered a much anticipated speech yesterday in Cairo, Egypt. He spoke at Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt on the topic of New Beginning. President Obama was stating clearly that His Administration would be one that is different. He will fight for a Palestinian State, confront the wrong of stereo-type Muslims and also recognized Hamas.

In President Obama’s “New Beginning” speech, he says this:

“America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.”

Israel will not go away and there is a reason for that. Israel is God’s chosen people and as a result, they will be around as long as there is an earth. Israel will be the place that God sets up His kingdom that will last for a thousand years. Muslims may say it privately, but Christians declare it publicly.

And how Mr. President can America “align our policies with those who pursue peace” when peace will only accrue when someone rises and promises peace to Israel in the most convicting way, but only to break that peace a few years later? The person referred to here is obviously the Anti-Christ. The Anti-Christ’s peace is only for a season, but Christ’s peace lasts for all eternity. President Obama is not the Anti-Christ, because if he were, then America would not be the place of his power nor would the Anti-Christ be facing so much opposition.

The Anti-Christ reveals himself after Christians have been taken from this earth. And there is still a very real and abiding Christian presence today, because of the continued evangelization of the globe and the population of the Christian community.

President Obama continued to say:

“Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer.”

“The Story of Isra”? It is a fascinating one to say the least. In this story, Muhammad is in Mecca, resting. The Archangel Gabriel visits him and brings him a very powerful item called the Buraq. The Buraq is a winged steed which is the lightning steed of the prophets. The Buraq takes Muhammad to what is called the “farthest mosque” or the Temple Mount. He then leads the prophets in prayer. After that, he goes to one of the heavens, where he talks with Moses and Jesus, before going to Allah. And its here where one of the pillars of Islam is born. Salah is that pillar and it’s the requirement of praying five times a day at the required time facing the required direction.

Thank you, Mr. President, for never really making the true distinction between the true God of Israel and Allah. But if you had then you would of not be able to achieve your goal of being the good President of the United States of America trying to bridge the gap between Americans and Muslims. (That opening sentence in this paragraph was with a sarcastic tone, for your information) So do you think, Mr. President, that by not doing that you can stay the President of just talking and talking and talking without any results.

There is something else troubling about President Obama’s speech. It came at the conclusion of his speech:

“We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us: “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”

The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”

The Holy Bible tells us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”“

First of all, God is the author of peace and only He can bring that upon the earth. Second, it is an insult to the Word of God to quote it with “The Holy Koran” that completely stands against everything that God‘s Word states. And thirdly, President Obama misunderstands that verse in “the Holy Bible”.

“Peacemakers” is not a call for pacifism. Genuine peace will happen between men only when peace is made between man and God through salvation.

Flight 447 – Weep with Them

The tragedy of Air France Flight 447 will be something that will go down in history. Its devastating to see the families of those that have been lost and to read about the people that will never again be seen by their loved ones.

The Times [London] reports:

“If no survivors are found, the disappearance of flight 447 would be the worst disaster in Air France’s 75-year history. The airline confirmed last night that the missing included 72 French, 58 Brazilians, 26 Germans, and a number of other nationalities.”

I can’t begin to imagine the loss of all those people. These were co-workers, friends, doctors, pipe-layers, schoolchildren, husbands, wives and some much more.

But how do you help? What is it that you can do to be there with these people in their time of loss, tragedy and dealing with the emotion of not knowing what happened or where their loved one might be?

The LA Times has ran an interesting piece about a man named, Denoix de Saint Marc.

“He and other counselors provided by the French government and Air France were there to help hundreds of people who were still in shock and denial more than a day after the airline’s Flight 447 disappeared during a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris.

Denoix de Saint Marc, who lost his own father 20 years ago in an airplane terrorist attack, acknowledged that there were limits to what he could offer those whose family, friends and colleagues were among the 216 passengers and 12 crew members aboard the Airbus A330.

“I just ask them about the person who was on the plane,” he said. “I hold their hands, and look them in eyes.”“

What more can you do? I applaud this man. Nothing is written about his religious affiliation, but its clear that a Biblical principle is unfolding here. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome, “… and weep with them that weep.” (Rom. 12:15) There are times when you simply don’t know what to do for someone that is grieving. Well, we could follow the example of Denoix de Saint Marc and the exhortation of Paul to weep with them that weep.

Christians can even go another step farther and be comforted with the reality that in this life we are simply just passing through. Passing through to a land that is better than here. A place of peace, comfort and security – that place is called HEAVEN!

So today, help those that grieve, love those are dear to you and make sure that you are just passing through to a land that is fairer than day.

God is Interested!

The news reports today were all very depressing. The items included General Motors filing for Chapter 11, Air France’s plane being lost at sea with 228 passengers and 12 crew members and the murder of Dr. George Tiller. As I read through other newspapers, I found more and more depressing articles. So what do you do when all in this world seems to be sad and depressing.

As a Christian turning to God and the Scriptures is always a great idea. But is God even interested in our day to day activities? I have to say a confident, YES, to that question. And here is how I got there:

People are made in the image of God. In Genesis 1, we are told that God created man out of the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breathe of life. But in Genesis 3, Adam and Eve, our first parents, would believe the lie of Satan and thus plunge mankind into sin. God was merciful to them in that He provided a way for their sins to be forgiven, but they still had to pay for the consequences of their disobedience. The punishment was expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

For thousands of years, the world was waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to come. And He did. Not like everyone was excepting. He came with a purpose and that was to take away the sins of the world. On Calvary’s Cross, He did just that. Christ died for the sins of the whole world.

Christ revealed the Father to us. He taught that God knows the number of hairs upon our head, to pray for our daily bread, that God is my great Shepherd and that He knows what we even need before we ever arrive at the point of that need.

So summing up why I believe that God is interested in our day to day activities: I arrive there because I am created in His image, He saw my need to be saved and provided that possibility through the death of Son and knows me more intimately and completely than anyone will ever know me.

I may live in a sin-corrupted world, but I know an All-Powerful God that is bigger than all the world’s problems and sorrows. When there seems to be no encouragement, run into the arms of our Everlasting Father and have a little talk with Jesus!